Papers by Kristy Buccieri
Journal of Family Issues, Apr 8, 2019
Youth who become homeless often report having difficult home lives, but very little is known abou... more Youth who become homeless often report having difficult home lives, but very little is known about their experiences with siblings and parents. This article reports on a qualitative study of eight youth, aged 17 to 23 years, experiencing homelessness in Toronto. Seven of the youth felt that their parent(s) favored a sibling over them, leading to the construction of a good child-problem child dichotomy in the household. The perceived disfavoritism resulted in increased family conflict that sometimes escalated to physical violence. As a result of the perceived disfavoritism, all the youth had strained, or nonexistent, relationships with their parent(s); identification of parental disfavoritism as a theme may, with further investigation, be considered a newly identified pathway to the street. These findings demonstrate the complexity of experiences these youth have prior to becoming homeless and highlight the need for further research into parent and sibling relations within their homes.
Canadian Public Policy-analyse De Politiques, Dec 1, 2013
Les réglementations visant des comportements antisociaux se multiplient dans les sociétés occiden... more Les réglementations visant des comportements antisociaux se multiplient dans les sociétés occidentales, mais il existe peu d'analyses statistiques, en particulier au Canada, sur les façons dont celles-ci sont appliquées Dans cet article, nous présentons une étude que nous avons réalisée sur l'application, à Toronto, de la Lo sur la sécurité dans les rues de l'Ontario. Nous montrons que, de 2000 à 2010, le nombre de contraventions liées à cette loi a augmenté de 2 000 pour cent, et que la plupart de ces contraventions ont été données à des itinérants. De plus, cette augmentation n'est le résultat ni d'une augmentation des taux de criminalité, ni d'une augmentation des pratiques de sollicitation agressives, ni de plaintes généralisées de la part de com merçants ou de citoyens, ni de la réaction de la police aux agissements de gangs de rue, ni d'une volont de générer plus de revenus. Nous avançons donc que de telles réglementations visant des comportements antisociaux sont en fait des mesures peu judicieuses et inappropriées adoptées en réaction à la présence bien visible des itinérants. Mots clés : Loi sur la sécurité dans les rues de l'Ontario, maintien de l'ordre, mendicité, itinérance Antisocial behaviour statutes are proliferating in western societies, yet little statistical analysis has been conducted on their enforcement patterns and trends, particularly in Canada. A study of the Ontario Safe Streets Act enforcement in Toronto shows a 2,000 percent increase in tickets from 2000 to 2010, with most being issued downtown to homeless individuals. Further research shows that this increase is not the result of increasing crime rates, increases in aggressive solicitation practices, widespread complaints from busi nesses or the public, or police responses to gangs, nor is it for revenue generation. We argue such antisocial behaviour statutes are a misguided public policy response to the visibility of homelessness.
Canadian journal of family and youth, Jan 27, 2016
The demographic profiles of homeless youth are varied and play an integral role in the experience... more The demographic profiles of homeless youth are varied and play an integral role in the experiences these young people have. This article reports on detailed demographic data collected from 187 homeless youth in the Youth Matters in London study, and compares it to demographic profiles of youth in the general Ontario population and with samples of homeless youth from five major Canadian cities. Results indicate demographic data is not consistently collected and/or reported upon by researchers, making comparative analysis challenging while highlighting the need for a standardization of demographic data collection. Comparisons between homeless and housed youth indicate that the homeless youth had lower educational attainment, higher pregnancy/parenting rates, increased cohabitation, greater unemployment, and low annual incomes. Demographic comparison between the six homeless youth samples indicate some similarities and some key differences, particularly in relation to pregnancies/parenting, education, employment, and income. Implications for researchers, policy-makers, and service providers are discussed.
Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 2020
Lacking access to primary care services is a recognized gap in the care of homeless populations, ... more Lacking access to primary care services is a recognized gap in the care of homeless populations, 17 with Canadian and American studies finding that only 43%, 18 51%, 19 and 910289J PCXXX10.
Hospital discharge planning for Canadians experiencing homelessness
Housing, Care and Support, Nov 1, 2018
Purpose People experiencing homelessness are high-users of hospital care in Canada. To better und... more Purpose People experiencing homelessness are high-users of hospital care in Canada. To better understand the scope of the issue, and how these patients are discharged from hospital, a national survey of key stakeholders was conducted in 2017. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness distributed an online survey to their network of members through e-mail and social media. A sample of 660 stakeholders completed the mixed-methods survey, including those in health care, non-profit, government, law enforcement and academia. Findings Results indicate that hospitals and homelessness sector agencies often struggle to coordinate care. The result is that these patients are usually discharged to the streets or shelters and not into housing or housing with supports. The health care and homelessness sectors in Canada are currently structured in a way that hinders collaborative transfers of patient care. The three primary and inter-related gaps raised by survey participants were: communication, privacy and systems pressures. Research limitations/implications The findings are limited to those who voluntarily completed the survey and may indicate self-selection bias. Results are limited to professional stakeholders and do not reflect patient views. Practical implications Identifying systems gaps from the perspective of those who work within health care and homelessness sectors is important for supporting system reforms. Originality/value This survey was the first to collect nationwide stakeholder data on homelessness and hospital discharge in Canada. The findings help inform policy recommendations for more effective systems alignment within Canada and internationally.
Street Youth Are More Likely Than Housed Youth to Be Victims of Crime
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, May 2, 2016
Substance use is common among homeless and precariously housed youth, yet few longitudinal studie... more Substance use is common among homeless and precariously housed youth, yet few longitudinal studies track their usage over time. This paper analyzes data from a study of 187 youth and reports on their substance usage in the preceding month, year, and over their lifetime. The results are compared within the sample by sex and against a sample of similarly located housed youth. Findings suggest that female homeless and precariously housed youth report lower substance use, but that with interventions substance use decreases for both sexes. Compared to housed youth, those who are homeless and precariously housed begin substance use at a significantly younger age.
Canadian Journal of Public Health-revue Canadienne De Sante Publique, Sep 24, 2020
Addressing the vulnerability and unique needs of homeless populations during pandemics has been a... more Addressing the vulnerability and unique needs of homeless populations during pandemics has been a major component of the Canadian federal response to the COVID-19 crisis. Rural and remote communities, however, have received little to no funding to aid in their care of homeless people during the pandemic. Similarly, there has been little to no research on rural communities' pandemic preparedness in the context of homelessness. There are large numbers of homeless individuals in rural and remote Canada, including Indigenous peoples who are over-represented in homeless populations. Rural communities, including rural and remote Indigenous communities, are often isolated and more limited than urban areas in their capacity to respond to pandemics. They are particularly vulnerable due to fewer healthcare and social service resources-the lack of which has been particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this commentary, we suggest that policy-makers need to take seriously the situation of rural homelessness in Canada, its implications for individual and community health, and consequences in the context of pandemics. Policy-and decision-makers can address these concerns through increased homelessness funding and support for rural and remote communities, policy change to recognize the unique challenges associated with rural pandemic planning and homelessness, and more research that can be translated into policy, programs, and supports for rural homelessness and pandemic planning response.
The Homeless Hub Research Report Series is a Canadian Homelessness Research Network initiative to... more The Homeless Hub Research Report Series is a Canadian Homelessness Research Network initiative to highlight the work of top Canadian researchers on homelessness. The goal of the research series is to take homelessness research and relevant policy findings to new audiences. For more information visit www.homelesshub.ca.
is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education at York University. Her previous research on youth... more is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Education at York University. Her previous research on youth homelessness has focused on harm reduction, substance use, and access to healthcare. Currently she is studying the spatial dynamics of homelessness and the informal learning that occurs while living on the street. In addition to her studies she volunteers regularly at a social service agency for at-risk youth.
International journal on homelessness, Jun 1, 2023
All content published in IJOH is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Sha... more All content published in IJOH is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 International license (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).
International Journal on Homelessness
Ten-year plans to end homelessness have become common in communities across Canada, yet homelessn... more Ten-year plans to end homelessness have become common in communities across Canada, yet homelessness persists. This study brings together experts in the field of homelessness to gain insight into whether homelessness can be ended and what steps need to be taken to accomplish this. Twenty-six Canadian homelessness researchers participated in video-recorded structured interviews in the summer of 2021. They were asked whether, and how, homelessness could be ended in Canada. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for recurring themes. There was widespread agreement across the participants that homelessness could be ended in Canada by focusing on four distinct yet related areas. First, all levels of government must be held accountable for policy decisions they make, and they must learn from other countries, such as Finland, where social welfare policies are more robustly integrated. Second, Canada must continue to implement policies and laws that prioritize housing as a human right rat...
Homeless Hub Report Series
View this article on the interactive Homeless Hub website at http://www.homelesshub.ca/Library/Su... more View this article on the interactive Homeless Hub website at http://www.homelesshub.ca/Library/Surviving-Crime-and-Violence-Street-Youth-and-Victimization-in-Toronto-48609.aspxAny parent would be outraged if their child was exposed to violence and crime. Any community would consider this to be unacceptable. Should we be concerned about the risks that young people who are homeless face? In our report, “Surviving Crime and Violence”, we explore the relationship between youth homelessness and criminal victimization. Our research highlights the degree to which the lives of young people who are homeless are characterized by high levels of crime and violence. This report, prepared for Justice for Children and Youth, was led by Stephen Gaetz (York University) and Bill O’Grady (University of Guelph). Two hundred and forty four homeless youth in Toronto were interviewed in 2009 about life on the streets, including their experiences of criminal victimization. While street youth are often port...
Without a magic mirror on the wall, Ph.D. students have to look elsewhere for answers. In this pa... more Without a magic mirror on the wall, Ph.D. students have to look elsewhere for answers. In this paper, we pose the question, “What does it mean to be a Ph.D. in the 21st century? ” We explore this issue through our respective social locations, as two first year Ph.D. students from differing backgrounds and as a tenured professor in a Faculty of Education. Our interest lies beyond a critique of the current model and a dualistic consideration of what should or should not be. Instead, we engage auto-ethnography with an analytic-induction approach to consider what postmodern doctoral studies might entail. The discussion is informed by a range of theorists, allowing us to consider multiple voices in the process of inculcation within the canon. Central to our discussion is the motivation of doctoral students and the means by which we can find our place within existing research communities. We examine the responsibility of students in animating knowledge and
Street Youth Are More Likely Than Housed Youth to Be Victims of Crime
The Homeless Hub Research Report Series is a Canadian Homelessness Research Network initiative to... more The Homeless Hub Research Report Series is a Canadian Homelessness Research Network initiative to highlight the work of top Canadian researchers on homelessness. The goal of the research series is to take homelessness research and relevant policy findings to new audiences. For more information visit www.homelesshub.ca.
Intersections of violence and health in the lives of homeless and street-involved youth
Canadian Journal of Public Health, 2020
Addressing the vulnerability and unique needs of homeless populations during pandemics has been a... more Addressing the vulnerability and unique needs of homeless populations during pandemics has been a major component of the Canadian federal response to the COVID-19 crisis. Rural and remote communities, however, have received little to no funding to aid in their care of homeless people during the pandemic. Similarly, there has been little to no research on rural communities' pandemic preparedness in the context of homelessness. There are large numbers of homeless individuals in rural and remote Canada, including Indigenous peoples who are over-represented in homeless populations. Rural communities, including rural and remote Indigenous communities, are often isolated and more limited than urban areas in their capacity to respond to pandemics. They are particularly vulnerable due to fewer healthcare and social service resources-the lack of which has been particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this commentary, we suggest that policy-makers need to take seriously the situation of rural homelessness in Canada, its implications for individual and community health, and consequences in the context of pandemics. Policy-and decision-makers can address these concerns through increased homelessness funding and support for rural and remote communities, policy change to recognize the unique challenges associated with rural pandemic planning and homelessness, and more research that can be translated into policy, programs, and supports for rural homelessness and pandemic planning response.
Community Mental Health Journal, 2020
Homelessness has negative implications for mental well-being and quality of life. This paper iden... more Homelessness has negative implications for mental well-being and quality of life. This paper identifies the quality of life variables that contribute to positive or negative wellbeing, reporting on a regression analysis from 343 individuals experiencing homelessness in Canada. Results indicate that a lack of sleep duration and quality reduced mental well-being for both genders, not having access to food and/or hygiene facilities decreased men's well-being, and engaging in illegal subsistence strategies, such as selling drugs, negatively impacted women's mental well-being. For persons experiencing homelessness, mental well-being and quality-of-life are gendered outcomes of their limited access to social determinants of health.
Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 2020
Objective: To determine how accessible health care services are for people who are experiencing h... more Objective: To determine how accessible health care services are for people who are experiencing homelessness and to understand from their perspectives what impact clinician bias has on the treatment they receive. Methods: Narrative interviews were conducted with 53 homeless/vulnerably housed individuals in Ontario, Canada. Visit history records were subsequently reviewed at 2 local hospitals, for 52 of the interview participants. Results: Of the 53 participants only 28% had a primary care provider in town, an additional 40% had a provider in another town, and 32% had no access to a primary care provider at all. A subset of the individuals were frequent emergency department users, with 15% accounting for 75% of the identified hospital visits, primarily seeking treatment for mental illness, pain, and addictions. When seeking primary care for these 3 issues participants felt medication was overprescribed. Conversely, in emergency care settings participants felt prejudged by clinicians ...
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Papers by Kristy Buccieri